A (perhaps silly) question about tattoos.

[darmok167]

My wife and I got our first tattoos this past week while on vacation. The artists were very nice and did a great job. So far, there has been very little irritation and virtually no soreness. We couldn't be happier with them.

But what I am wondering is this, and I am sure a google search would probably give me my answer but we all know how that goes...LOL, where exactly does the ink go?

The reason I ask is because I am pretty sure I have heard that we humans have about 3 (or maybe 4) layers of skin that we are constantly "shedding" (for lack of a better term) the outside layer of, and the lower ones become the upper ones. If this is incorrect, please feel free to let me know.

I'm not worried about my tattoo or anything like that, I am just interested in learning more about how the process works. If anyone would be kind enough to educate me, I would appreciate it.

Edited for a couple of grammatical mistakes.

[underseasurveyor]

1. congrats on your first tattoos

To you and your wife. What did you get and where did you get them?

If I remember correctly we have 7 layers of skin and in the tattoo process they try and get to the 3rd or 4th layer of skin. Any deeper and the ink runs and spreads out. Not deep enough and the some ink will bleed out more easily and the color will be faded and uneven in spots.

Just make sure you keep some kind of neosporin type ointment on them, keeping them slightly moisturized but not overly so and not seepy or oozy. Dab gently with a tissue to get any excess seepage off. And keep them out of the sun completely if at all possible until they're completely healed and even after they are fully healed put lots of sunblock on to prevent color fading over the long term.

:toast: congrats on your new ink:hi:

[LostinVA]

4. Good advice -- except no neosporin

A&D ointment for the first day, then some scent-free lotion, Lubriderm or Keri.

[underseasurveyor]

6. No more 'sporin?

Why?

I got my first tattoos 30 years ago and the newest is less than a year old and they still said use an antibiotic ointment for the first couple day to prevent infection. After that it's ok to use scent-free lotion. What changed?

[LostinVA]

7. Both places I've gotten them have said it's too harsh

[underseasurveyor]

8. Infections are harsh

They hurt, take much longer to heal and it messes up the ink. I'll stick with old-school'n it and continue to use an a-ointment for the first couple days on any tattoo I get.

I am going to ask next time what makes it harsh. Can't ever have too much information. Thanks for the heads up.

[ghostsofgiants]

2. A link for your reading pleasure...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattoo#Mechanism

[panhead1961]

3. The needles penetrate over a 1/16"

They will distort over a long period of time but the ink now a days is much much better.. With proper care, sun screen of 30 or more on the tattoo, they should be vibrant and clear toll your skin slides.

[D23MIURG23]

5. The ink stays in your dermis...

which is the living layer of skin below your epidermis. The epidermis is the outer protective layer of skin comprised of dead cells that sheds continuously. The ink stains cells and capillaries (small blood vessels) in the dermis.






http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Business/DragonButterfly/TattooProcess.html